Proverbs 14:22 kjv

Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

Proverbs 14:22 nkjv

Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good.

Proverbs 14:22 niv

Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.

Proverbs 14:22 esv

Do they not go astray who devise evil? Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness.

Proverbs 14:22 nlt

If you plan to do evil, you will be lost;
if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.

Proverbs 14 verses

Proverbs 14 22 Meaning

Proverbs 14:22 presents a stark contrast between two types of individuals: those who intentionally plan and execute evil, and those who intentionally plan and execute good. It declares that those who plot wickedness are destined to go astray or suffer consequences, while those who diligently work towards what is right will be met with divine favor, specifically steadfast love (mercy) and faithfulness (truth). This verse highlights the immutable principle of divine justice, where intentions and actions directly determine outcomes aligned with God's moral order.

Proverbs 14 22 Context

Proverbs 14 forms part of the "Proverbs of Solomon," a large collection of wise sayings aimed at imparting wisdom and discerning instruction. The chapter broadly contrasts the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked, and their differing characteristics and eventual outcomes. Verse 22 functions as a clear example of antithetical parallelism, a common poetic device in Proverbs, where the second line presents a contrast to the first, thereby emphasizing the ethical dichotomy. Within the broader context of Proverbs, this verse reinforces the fundamental truth that a person's inner disposition and planned actions dictate their life's direction and ultimately, their experience of divine blessing or judgment. Historically, ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature often explored similar themes of consequences for action, but Proverbs anchors these in Yahweh's moral order, implying a divine hand in justice. It counters any belief that clever deception or exploitation might ultimately lead to success, emphasizing that divine truth and mercy prevail for those aligned with goodness.

Proverbs 14 22 Word analysis

• Do they not err (Hebrew: הֲלֹא יִתְעוּ, halo yiṯʿu)

  • הֲלֹא (halo): Interrogative particle, expecting a positive answer, akin to "surely... not?" or "is it not the case?" It strengthens the statement.
  • יִתְעוּ (yiṯʿu): From the root תעה (taʿah), meaning "to wander, stray, go astray, make a mistake, err." It implies a loss of direction, moral wandering, or spiritual blindness. The consequences for devising evil are not just negative, but they involve a deviation from the correct path. This wandering is self-imposed by their evil intent.

• that devise evil? (Hebrew: חֹרְשֵׁי רָע, ḥōršê raʿ)

  • חֹרְשֵׁי (ḥōršê): A participle from חרש (ḥāraš), literally meaning "to plow" or "to engrave, devise, plot." In this context, it speaks of deep, deliberate planning and plotting, like plowing a field for planting. It denotes intentionality and thoroughness in preparing for something.
  • רָע (raʿ): "Evil, bad, wicked, trouble, distress." This signifies moral corruption and destructive intent.

• but mercy (Hebrew: וָחֶסֶד, wāḥeseḏ)

  • וָ (wa): Conjunctive "and" or "but," introducing the contrast.
  • חֶסֶד (ḥeseḏ): "Steadfast love, loving-kindness, loyal love, covenant faithfulness, mercy." This is a profoundly rich theological term describing God's enduring loyalty and compassionate care, especially for His people within a covenant relationship. It refers to a commitment that goes beyond mere affection to include active benevolence.

• and truth (Hebrew: וֶאֱמֶת, weʾĕmeṯ)

  • אֱמֶת (ʾěmeṯ): "Truth, faithfulness, reliability, stability, trustworthiness." It refers to that which is firm, enduring, and authentic. In conjunction with ḥeseḏ, it speaks to the unwavering and trustworthy nature of divine blessings and principles.

• shall be to them (Hebrew: לַעֹשֵׂי, laʿōśê)

  • Implicit "shall be" – the natural consequence or divine bestowal.
  • לַעֹשֵׂי (laʿōśê): "To those who do/make." Indicates the recipients of the blessing are those actively engaged in the subsequent action.

• that devise good. (Hebrew: חֹרְשֵׁי טוֹב, ḥōršê ṭōḇ)

  • חֹרְשֵׁי (ḥōršê): Again, "to plow, engrave, devise, plot." This maintains the imagery of careful, deliberate preparation and intention, but applied to the positive.
  • טוֹב (ṭōḇ): "Good, pleasing, welfare, prosperity, benefit, right." Signifies moral rectitude and actions that lead to blessing and flourishing.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Do they not err that devise evil?: This rhetorical question highlights the inevitability of negative consequences for those who deliberately scheme evil. The "error" isn't merely a misstep but a fundamental straying from the path of wisdom and God's righteous order. Their deliberate planning for wickedness paradoxically leads them off course. This isn't just a prediction, but a statement of the established moral reality that evil leads to disorientation and eventual downfall. The term "devise" (ḥāraš) stresses that this isn't accidental, but a product of premeditated intent, making their "error" a direct result of their own considered actions.
• but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.: In stark contrast, those who dedicate themselves to planning and executing good are promised "mercy" (ḥeseḏ) and "truth" (ʾěmeṯ). These are not merely human attributes but primarily reflect God's character. "Mercy and truth" indicate God's loyal love, unfailing commitment, and faithfulness. This suggests that divine blessing, manifested as a stable, trustworthy, and compassionate life, is the natural consequence and divine reward for intentional righteousness. The "devising" (ḥāraš) of good implies forethought and persistent effort in doing what is right, ensuring that their path is marked by divine favor and stability.

Proverbs 14 22 Bonus section

The active and deliberate nature implied by "devise" (plow, engrave) in the Hebrew ḥāraš for both evil and good actions is crucial. It underscores that spiritual and moral outcomes are often a result of thoughtful, persistent intention, not just spontaneous acts. This concept strongly links to personal responsibility and accountability within God's moral framework. The absence of specific agents (e.g., "men," "the righteous") means the proverb states a universal truth applicable to anyone engaging in these deliberate actions, whether conscious of God or not. However, within the biblical worldview, God is the ultimate guarantor of these outcomes, ensuring that "mercy and truth" originate from His character and flow towards those who mirror His goodness in their intentions. This verse challenges any philosophy that separates morality from success or suggests that wickedness can ultimately secure lasting advantage. It confirms that the truest blessings come through alignment with God's inherent nature of steadfast love and faithfulness.

Proverbs 14 22 Commentary

Proverbs 14:22 provides a profound insight into the moral universe established by God. It affirms that intent matters deeply, setting it apart from accidental wrongdoing. The vivid agricultural metaphor of "devising" (ḥāraš - plowing/cultivating) illustrates that just as one diligently prepares a field for planting, so do people carefully plot their actions, whether for good or for evil. Those who "plow evil" will invariably find themselves lost or disoriented (yit'u), stumbling into folly or destructive paths of their own making. Their intricate schemes ultimately unravel, leading to frustration and ruin.

Conversely, those who "plow good"—who deliberately plan and sow seeds of righteousness, compassion, and integrity—will receive ḥeseḏ and ʾěmeṯ. These terms signify God's covenant loyalty, steadfast love, and unwavering faithfulness. This isn't just about human kindness, but divine response: God's attributes become their reality. This promises a life characterized by God's sustaining grace, reliable blessings, and stable prosperity that aligns with His character. The verse teaches that there is a cosmic order to life, where the deepest intentions of the heart determine the trajectory of one's existence, culminating in either disorientation and loss or enduring divine favor. It's a foundational principle: moral and spiritual reaping directly correlates with ethical sowing.